Mala Reignz: Redefining the "Bad Girl"

Fearless, independent and redefining what it is to be a “bad girl” that is, rapper Mala Reignz.  A Latina, born and raised in the Bronx, Mala was exposed to all kinds of music growing up, “when you’re here, you definitely adapt to what’s popular here,” she says as she remembers the importance of hip-hop in the Bronx during her upbringing. 

Mala admits that music was something that she stumbled into.  While she was always good at writing and enjoyed it very much, it was not until college that she really began to take it seriously.  As a single mother in college who was very much on her own, Mala’s time to do homework and write her poetry was late at night once her son was asleep, “I used to play music in the background and I didn’t realize that as I was writing my poetry, I was writing to the beat,” she shared.    

Mala’s experience during college is what equipped her with the tools to make the right decisions and learn the tricks of the trade at a very young age.  “Not a lot of people know this about me but I worked in the industry,” she says.  After interning for Mun2 and working at Jack Move (a production company owned by Cipha Sound of Hot 97), Mala learned how to walk the walk and talk the talk.  All skills that she has carried with her to this day, “I knew a lot of the lingo and how to deal with certain people…once you speak their language it helps a lot.”

However Mala is far from your average female rapper, she is also the founder and creator of Bad Girl Chainz, a line of necklaces she originally created to make herself stand out in a crowd.  Mala’s decision to sell Bad Girl Chainz came from the fact that people wanted to know how they could get theirs. “She’s the paper doll that broke off the chain, she’s the one that’s different.  And you know when you’re different than what everyone expects or wants you to be they point you out as a bad girl and that’s kind of what it is,” she explains; the chains are currently available on Groupon.

Currently, Mala is working with her partner J30 with whom she has cofounded their own record label with, called ScholarVMG.  The label has signed their first deal with Chris Gotti of Addventure Records of Warner Brothers, “Now we have a way to get our music everywhere and help others,” she says with excitement.  Mala has also released two music videos, “Hands Up” discussing the current issue of police brutality and a “Seen It All (Remix)”.  Surely, the future is bright for Mala and she will continue to break barriers as she paves the way for other strong and independent women like herself.

Connect with Mala Reignz:

Official Website:  http://www.badgirlreignz.com // http://www.scholarvmg.com/

Facebook  MalaReignzMusic

Twitter @MalaReignz

Instagram  @MalaReignz

YouTube  MalaReignz

Natalia Segura: Loving and Free

As her voice gently enters the crevasses of your ears and warms your soul like hot cocoa on a chilly winter day, you cannot help but wonder where the passion and inspiration comes from when listening to singer/songwriter Natalia Segura.  Natalia’s upbringing is one that not many can say they’ve had.  Born in El Salvador and raised in Australia, Natalia's travels gave her the courage to take a leap of faith by moving from her then, home of Australia to the Big Apple NYC.  While the move came with its hurdles and dark moments, Natalia confidently says, “I am grateful for those dark moments, now I look back and say wow I survived and I am thriving!” 

Traveling has been one of the main influences on Natalia’s musical journey.  “Living in other countries and hearing their music has really influenced me,” she shares referring especially to the year and a half she spent living in Latin America.  She noted that while living in different parts of the world, she noticed that music can take on varied meanings and evoke different feelings depending on the culture; a fascinating discovery for a young artist who is just uncovering their true potential.

Natalia shared that especially in other parts of the world, “a great song…is one that connects so deep with an emotion that is within people.”  This is precisely what she aims to do with her music; speak to the emotions of real people in real situations.  Natalia considers her genre to be within the realm of conscious pop, “I chose to want to do pop because there’s such a wide variety,” she says adding, “I want to have lyrical depth and I want to be consistent in it.”      

Natalia’s message to the world is simple: self-love, and freedom.  “With self love comes freedom,” she explains.  Natalia notes that while she has been through some rough times in her life, she has learned that loving yourself and being free is one of the most important things anyone can do for themselves.  Through her music, Natalia brings not only a variety of impactful topics, but also delightful vocals and a story that is one of a kind.

Connect with Natalia:

Facebook: Natalia Segura 

Twitter:  @NataliaSegura

Instagram:  @nataliasegura

YouTube:  NataliaSeguraMusic

Kevin Izeah: Breaking out of his shell

Talent comes in many shapes and sizes, but it is harder for some than for others to gain a level of comfort with the amount of talent that is held within.  For nineteen-year-old Kevin Izeah of Pasadena, California, this realization of talent was not an easy one.   “I think it's funny how with music, one definitely has to be vulnerable and open.  I'm really comfortable & can tell a story to an audience while I'm singing. But in reality, I'm a really shy person,” he admits, claiming that being shy is something that negatively impacted him as an artist in the past.  However, his consistent infatuation with the music industry and entertainment in general has been what has kept him grounded and charging forward.

At the moment, Kevin uses Instagram’s 15-second video option to share his voice with the masses by doing occasional covers.  After having a plethora of positive feedback, he is now looking into working on original songs and eventually moving to YouTube as a platform to share more with his followers.  “Present day social media in general is really cool! It allows so much opportunity; especially for artists who want to share stuff and introduce themselves.  I definitely want people to be able to hear & see more of me. I plan on uploading future original songs as well as covers of my favorite songs,” he says.   

Inspired by artists like Beyoncé and Michael Jackson, Kevin has always sought ways to get involved in the world of music and entertainment, one day hoping to be one of the key players in the industry.  “I found online agencies that actually cast people to be a part of the audience at award shows. I've gotten the opportunity to attend award shows like the Grammys, The VMA's, and The People's Choice Awards. It's surreal being an audience member at these shows & being able to meet & take pictures with many artists that I look up to,” he shares.

Another passion of Kevin’s is dancing saying, “I know as an artist I want to include dancing in my performances. Dancing and choreography just makes everything so much better and lively!”  Being aware of the need to be multi-faceted and do a little bit of everything has been one of Kevin’s strongpoints.  After breaking out of his initially shy shell, he has used social media as a vehicle for making his dreams come true and he surely has a bright future ahead!

Connect with Kevin Izeah on Instagram:  @vocal_kev

A video posted by KEVIN IZEAH (@vocal_kev) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:33pm PDT

Q&A with Lynx on "Dosis de Mí"

In the past year, bachata artist Lynx has made his mark on everyone he meets.  From his smooth lyrics, and ability to tell a story that resonates with his audience, to his cool and infectious demeanor in interviews and when interacting with fans, the bachatero has captured the hearts of many.  Today, Lynx releases his debut album "Dosis de Mí" which gives people an even closer look into the rising star's infinite potential to be a game changer in the genre.  The album has 8 original songs crafted by Lynx himself (with the exception of "Como Antes" which was composed by his friend and colleague Nataniel).  In the album, he experiments with other genres including pop rock, merengue and even bolero.  

Lynx has proven that he is not afraid to take bachata to places it has never been.  His debut single, "Máscara", mixed elements of opera with bachata.  Lynx's most recent single off of the album, "Somos Uno" was a personal tribute to people with special needs, calling or love and equality; Lynx dedicated this song to his youngest brother Leonardo who is both autistic and blind.  Finally, in the single "Pena de Muerte" tells the story of a man on death row who is battling inner demons as he pleads for God's salvation.  

The album is sure to impress all who hear it, and after working on every minor detail for days on end, Lynx is more than excited to be able to share this little piece of himself with all who have been waiting, and all who have yet to discover his talent.  

What is it about this album that truly makes it a "Dosis de Mí"?

LYNX:  “Since the age of 13, I have grown as a songwriter and I wanted to introduce my distinctive style to the world. I believe that the art of lyricism has been lost and I want to help bring it back and make the lyrics on a song actually matter. This album touches on my personal life ("Somos Uno") and I was able to use personal memories to help me express myself better in some of my love songs. I express myself differently than others and I wanted to showcase it through "Dosis de Mí". I want my fans to know that this album contains 100% genuine raw emotions that took every bit of me to create.”

Talk to me about the album cover.  Where did you get this idea from and why is it fitting for "Dosis de Mí"?

LYNX:  “I am a proud New Yorker, it is the city that molded me into the person that you see today. The album cover shows me overlooking the New York City skyline, admiring the view as it reminds me that this city will always be a part of me.”

What is your favorite song on the album and why?

LYNX:  “My favorite song on the album is "Pena de Muerte" and it introduces the audience to an element that I created called "dark bachata". "Pena de Muerte" is my favorite song on the album because of its unique and refreshing storyline. I wanted to show fans of the genre a whole new world, putting myself in the shoes of a very broken character who has accepted death but still seeks salvation for his soul. In-Character story-lines and dark bachatas are part of my repertoire as a songwriter and I am proud to introduce them through "Pena de Muerte". Aside from the common love topics, I wanted to share a part of me that needed to be introduced in this genre and that was the fearless attitude I have as an artist/songwriter.”

If you could add another artist's touch to one of the songs on the album, what song would it be? Who would the artist be? and why?

LYNX:  “Adding Mario Domm to the song "Renacer" would have been an amazing experience and would have been a heck of a song to listen to. Mario has a very powerful way of making you feel what he is singing about, putting him in this song with me would create a feeling like no other. I get excited just talking about it haha”

What has been the biggest learning experience for you in the process of putting this album together?

LYNX:  “The biggest learning experience for me was learning how to pay more attention to the details within my art. Some of us can admire the Mona Lisa painting but never notice the little details that helped make the painting an historic image. I've lost count on the amount of nights that I've spent going over the rough drafts, several mixes, vocals, lyrics and the recordings of each instrument. I can be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to creating my art but I totally understand that there will never be a perfect artist. You can go to a local shop and find an identical but fake Mona Lisa painting but the truth is, my goal is for my art to be real Mona Lisa painting that you will find at the Louvre museum. In other words, quality is very important to me.”

Be sure to buy your copy of "Dosis de Mí" available TODAY on iTunes, Amazon, and GooglePlay!!!

Connect with Lynx:

Facebook: Official_Lynx

Twitter: @OfficialLynx

Instagram:  @Official_Lynx

YouTube: LynxOfficialPage

Luis Figueroa: An Artistic Journey

Photo: @SheLikesMyPics

What began, as a secret hobby that he practiced in the basement of his home has now become a way of life for R&B artist, Luis Figueroa.  Influenced, in his early years, by Latino artists such as Luis Miguel and Jerry Rivera, Luis picked up on the seductive and intriguing nature with which these artists captured the hearts of many and felt that he too was capable of something great.  “The one thing that’s been consistent in my thought process and in my life in general has been music.  I think I have just always known and have been blessed enough to have gone in the right path,” he shares.

Luis’s musical experiences come form all angles of life.  As a child, he participated in Star Search, and then later on was an American Idol contestant.  While these experiences shaped Luis in different ways, one of the most defining moments in molding him as an artist came from his experiences at Berklee College of Music.   “Berklee shaped me where I never ever stopped being a student.  It taught me to really pay attention and listen,” he says. 

The school also introduced him to a plethora of new artists, especially within the R&B world.  As a child, Luis’s mother only allowed him to listen to Spanish music so that she could monitor what he was listening to.  “I was 17-18 coming into Berklee and finally being exposed to these singers which to me now are like my standard of a great singer,” he says, adding that while it was against the rules of the home, he would still sneak around and listen to people like Craig David, along with his older sister’s Blackstreet and SWV albums. 

Currently, Luis is in one of the most exciting phases of his career.  His social media growth has expanded tremendously over time, giving him a loyal and consistent following.  He is also signed to Nasri ofTheMessengers, which he describes as his biggest learning experience thus far.  “They get to oversee your product, so at the end of the day, you don’t want to ever show them anything that is terrible or mediocre that will mess up their vision of you.  I’m always trying to stay fresh and keep them excited,” he shares.

Luis aims to spread a message of overall positivity through his story and his music.  “I just want to inspire the youth,” he says, adding that while he came from a rough part of Philadelphia, there is always a way out.  “It starts with a dream and then after that it’s all about determination and the vision and reaching that goal.”  Luis will be releasing his EP in early 2015, and promises that it will be a surprising, feel good EP that will include songs in both English and Spanish.

Connect with Luis:

Facebook:  Luis Figueroa

Twitter:  @iamluisfigueroa

Instagram: @iiamluisfigueroa

YouTube: Luis Figueroa

Jayh: A Different Definition

Singer, songwriter, actress and activist—Jayh is the perfect example of what it means to be selflessly talented.  Jayh’s early years consisted of plays, talent shows and church groups all revolving around the world of performance, art and music.  “I can't really say that there was a specific thing that got me started in this world,” she shares, remembering a time where she would sit outside waiting for the school bus hours before it arrived, just so that she could sit alone and sing.

While singing is a talent that Jayh has always embraced, she struggled in the past to grip her natural ability to act.  However, after effortlessly landing a few lead roles in plays and getting compliments from all over, Jayh decided that maybe this was just another one of her God given talents.  “Acting has taught me to trust myself,’ she says, “It has taught me to always be confident in myself and in my performances.”

Jayh’s role models from a career standpoint are strong women who reflect hard work and dedication; Beyoncé and Oprah.  While she says she has always looked up to Beyoncé for her voice, stage presence and overall self-motivation, she has a newfound admiration for Oprah.  “She gives and gives and gives and encourages people. She extends her hand and gives other people opportunities to be greater. It's exactly what I want to do with my platform and gift. Less about me, and more about the people!” says Jayh.

Today, Jayh has done just that.  After endless soul searching and trying to find how she fits into an industry that capitalizes on trends, Jayh realized that she was simply better off just being herself.  She has now created a movement called “A Different Definition”, something that she is very proud of and has worked to realize for quite some time.  “A Different Definition focuses on the beauty, confidence, happiness, and relationships of women through music, media, and discussion,” Jayh describes.  Her goal is to get women to redefine the way they see themselves in the different aspects of their lives.  “I did the official launch in May of this year with the first tier A Different Definition of Beauty. This tier focuses on helping women embrace their beauty by accepting their insecurities. The next two tiers focus on love and life!” 

Soon, we will be able to see a new website and some original music from Jayh especially surrounding her new movement “A Different Definition”.  For now, she leaves us with these encouraging words, “Who you are matters a lot more than who you think you are!  Stand in your truth and embrace every part of you!”   

Connect with Jayh:  

www.ADifferentDefinition.com

YouTube: JAYHSINGS & A Different Definition

Twitter: @jayhsings

Instagram:  @beadifferentdefinition

Nile: Vibrant and Soulful

Vibrant and soulful in every sense of his being, singer/songwriter Nile is apt to making all who hear his voice feel every word that is uttered from his mouth.  The silky smooth vocals Nile pairs with his unique and intriguing lyrics are what earned him a position on “The Voice” Season 2 in the Middle East.  Nile is a Neo Soul and R&B artist, based in United Arab Emirates.

Nile’s passion for songwriting is what drew him in to the world of music, he shares that, “Pursuing the pleasure of creating something new every time, such as writing lyrics, making new beats, and coming up with memorable melodies that stick with people for so long and become part of their lives,” are elements of his music career that drive and inspire him every day.  

Nile grew up listening to a blend of R&B, hip-hop and rap, all of which have influenced his musical style and delivery.  He notes that listening to the Isley Brothers, Jackson Five, and even Smokey Brown, were just some of the voices and talents that have stuck with him through his career, and happen to be his favorites within the genre of R&B.  “The 80’s and the 90’s era was a great musical influence to me in terms of production because that was the new generation of electronic and midi music,” says Nile. 

After being on the Voice Season 2 of the Midde East, Nile was exposed to a total of over 150 million viewers which lead to more experience in the field, but more importantly it provided a greater opportunity to improve and grow.  Through the show’s efforts, he was able to gain a whole new fan base throughout the Middle East and even in Africa.

Nile’s music will continue to expand, and he is working harder than ever to make sure his music is heard.  He leaves this message: “Music is truly a universal language and it does really connect and unite the world…I hope my story inspires other people to keep doing what they love to do and to peruse their dreams.” 

Connect with Nile:

Facebook:Nile Music

Twitter:  @NileOfficial1

Instagram:  @NileOfficial1

Soundcloud:  Nile Music

YouTube:Nile Official